Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Eastern Floater

Pyganodon cataracta

Key Features

Size: Up to seven inches, though infrequently specimens may grow nearly ten inches long!

Shape: Somewhat elongate, with a rounded ventral margin. The hinge ligament is either straight or curves slightly upward. Valves laterally inflated, thin, and fragile.

Periostracum: Color yellowish-green, green, or greenish-brown. Shell rays either absent or very faint.

Lateral Teeth: Absent.

Pseudocardinal Teeth: Absent.
Nacre: Color silvery-white or metallic blue, sometimes with a yellowish tinge toward the beak cavity.

Often Confused With ... Alewife floater, creeper.

External shell of Eastern Floater

External shell

Internal shell, right valve of Eastern Floater

Internal shell, right valve

Hinge teeth of Eastern Floater

Hinge teeth

Range map of Eastern FloaterHabitat: The eastern floater exists in a wide variety of habitats and substrate types. It is particularly tolerant of deep silt and mud at the bottom of lakes and ponds. It has been introduced into many man-made ponds such as farm ponds, where it thrives in the nutrient-rich water.

Range in Connecticut: Statewide.

Conservation: The eastern floater is widespread and abundant in Connecticut, and unlike many other species, it is tolerant of habitat modification and many forms of pollution. Predators, such as muskrats and otters, may prefer this species because its thin shell is relatively easy to break.

Freshwater Mussel Fact Sheets

Eastern Pearlshell
Dwarf Wedgemussel
Triangle Floater
Brook Floater
Creeper
Eastern Elliptio
Eastern Floater
Alewife Floater
Eastern Pondmussel
Tidewater Mucket
Yellow Lampmussel
Eastern Lampmussel

The Freshwater Mussels of Connecticut

Content last updated on January 29, 2014.